Crowns are synthetic caps, usually made of porcelain or gold, that are placed on top of a specially prepared tooth. They are typically used to restore a tooth’s function and appearance when a large portion of the tooth is removed due to decay or fractured, also following root canal therapy. Crowns are also used to cover implants that have been placed to restore areas where teeth are missing. They also serve an aesthetic purpose to restore teeth to their natural appearance when severely stained or discolored, or when a tooth has become worn down.

Crown Materials

Permanent crowns can be made from a variety of materials, Dr. Thomas typically chooses from three types of crowns, all porcelain, porcelain fused to metal alloy or solid gold. The choice of material will depend on a variety of factors; the total cost to the patient will be the same regardless of this choice.

• Gold Crowns - Compared with other crown types, less tooth structure needs to be removed with gold crowns and tooth wear to opposing teeth is kept to a minimum. Gold withstands biting and chewing forces well and will probably last the longest in terms of wear; they do not chip or break. The color is the main inhibitor for patients in choosing this type of crown; it is a good choice for out of sight molars.
• Porcelain Fused to Gold - This type of crown can be matched to the color of adjacent teeth. This can be done whilst the patient is here at the office although on occasion Dr. Thomas will have patients go to the nearby dental laboratory for a custom shade to be taken, this ensures a perfect match to the natural teeth. The porcelain would make this type of crown less hardwearing than gold and there is the possibility that it could chip. Even so these crowns can be a good choice for front or back teeth.
• All Porcelain Crowns - The best possible color match is achieved with the all porcelain crowns and are more suitable for anyone with any metal allergies. They are however less hardwearing and are generally recommended for front teeth. For more information visit wikipedia.org

Procedures

The crown procedure is usually completed over two visits, the first will be to prepare the existing tooth to accommodate the crown and the second to seat the permanent laboratory made crown. At the first visit an impression is taken of the existing tooth, this is used by Dr. Thomas to create a temporary crown which will cover the prepared tooth while the permanent one is being made at the lab. In most instances existing tooth structure needs to be reduced and often re-built and shaped to accept the crown. Once this has been accomplished another impression of the tooth is taken, the lab will use this to create a crown custom made to fit. A temporary crown is seated to cover the prepared area and the patient is re-appointed for three weeks later to have the new permanent crown cemented in place.